Cleaning Manager

At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just who we're looking for! Of course, experience and track record are important, but we're more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That's someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise we're dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees.

As part of Places for People Group, PfP Students are experts in providing facilities management solutions for university campus buildings and student accommodation. Our service is focused on our partnership approach with our clients and the student experience. 

More about your role

As Cleaning Manager, you will lead the delivery of high-quality cleaning services across multiple buildings at the Royal College of Art, ensuring safe, hygienic, and well-presented environments for students, staff, and visitors. You will oversee operations across varied shift patterns, monitor performance through regular on-site presence, and continuously improve cleaning schedules, workflows, and resource allocation.

You will lead, motivate, and develop supervisors and frontline teams, driving engagement and a high-performance culture while managing recruitment, onboarding, performance, and wellbeing. Alongside this, you will champion sustainability by promoting eco-friendly products, reducing environmental impact, and improving waste management practices. You will also ensure full compliance with health and safety standards, actively managing risk and promoting a strong safety culture across teams.

This role is split across sites at Battersea, Kensington and White City with working hours of  Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm.

For more information download a copy of the job description

Essential criteria

• Proven experience managing cleaning operations across multiple sites, buildings, or large teams
• A track record of liaising with a variety of stakeholders. 
• Experience implementing health & safety compliance and managing incidents within an operational environment

More about you

You will be an experienced operational leader with the ability to manage large, fast-paced cleaning services while balancing multiple priorities and deadlines. You are confident making decisions independently and use data, insight, and problem-solving skills to drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

You are also passionate about leading and developing people, creating an inclusive and motivated team culture. With strong organisational and IT skills, you are comfortable managing performance, supporting change, and ensuring high standards of service delivery while keeping the customer experience at the heart of everything you do.

At Places for People we are committed to a safe working environment so a basic DBS check is mandatory.

Benefits

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.

We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:

• Competitive salary with regular annual review
• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Bonus scheme for colleagues at 2%
• 35 days holiday (including bank holiday) with option to buy or sell days
• Healthcare cashback plan for everyday medical costs - up to £500 savings per year
• Access to wellbeing support such as counselling and flu jabs
• Private GP and health support services available
• Access to a rewards platform with retail and lifestyle discounts
• Savings on groceries, travel, shopping and home products
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Access to professional qualifications and career progression
• Internal development programmes and learning support
• Recognition schemes such as Star Awards and Colleagues Awards
• Strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
• Free membership to Places Gyms

What's next?

If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then apply following our simple 5 minute application process, upload a CV and a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the role. If you have any questions please email the recruitment team View email address on careers.placesforpeople.co.uk

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided you meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.

If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on View email address on careers.placesforpeople.co.uk . 

Please note that we may bring the closing date forward, if we receive a large number of quality applications. If you are interested in this role we would advise applying immediately to avoid disappointment.

If you are using a mobile device such as an iPad then ensure your CV is stored in the cloud, we currently support Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox.

W e understand the importance of a supportive and inclusive work culture so please talk to us at interview about flexibility you may need. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking. 

If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls

Safeguarding

At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect. 

We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment. 

By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities